Why do I black out when I get angry?

A:

Quick Answer

Blacking out when angry is associated with a condition known as intermittent explosive disorder, according to a report by ABC News. IED is prevalent in teens, with one in 12 teens experiencing severe anger attacks.

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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, IED is a mental disorder that is not understood very well by medical professionals. The disorder typically begins in the early teen years and can continue well into the adult years. Typically, a person with this condition goes from a state of calm to a sudden angry outburst that includes verbal and physical abuse of property or people. Sufferers feel a loss of control over their behavior for the duration of the outburst.

There is evidence that IED episodes commonly precede depression and anxiety problems later in life. However, there is limited research about this disorder. There is conflicting research on whether IED is linked to other serious mental conditions such as bipolar disorder or other personality disorders. To be diagnosed with IED, someone must display at least three angry outbursts of impulsive anger.

According to the Mayo Clinic, research has not determined a definitive cause for IED. However, brain chemistry, environment and genetics are thought to be at the root of most of these outbursts.